"It starts on a fairly quiet note with high pressure to the southwest of us, bringing mainly fine if rather cloudy weather. Temperatures will be slightly above the average at 9C to 11C - 52F with a light breeze.

"On Tuesday the winds will start to pick up and although most places will have another dry, fairly cloudy day, outbreaks of rain will set in across northwest Scotland.

"Wednesday will see a deep Atlantic depression sweep in southerly gales and heavy rain, the heaviest bursts are forecast for western Scotland where 80mm to 100mm (4in) is possible. It should be dry and mild further south and east but rain will set in there later.

"Wednesday night will be a wet and very windy night for all, perhaps with some damaging winds across the north, but the rain should clear the southeast late Thursday morning.

"Be prepared for a significant wind chill from then on as cold Arctic air plunges southwards. As well as feeling cold, there is an increasing threat of sleet and snow showers feeding down across the country. Snow is likely at low levels in Scotland on Thursday but to low levels in some southern parts of Britain on Friday."